Stop logging around Boat Bay in Johnstone Strait
Spirit of the West Adventures is currently in discussion with the provincial government and TimberWest requesting the removal of cut blocks 2-806, 2-804 and 2-802 from their proposed harvesting plans. These cut blocks are located in boat Bay directly behind and adjacent to the Johnstone Strait Ultimate base camp operated by Spirit of the West for over 15 years. The Boat Bay area, including the Spirit of the West base camp, is located in one of the most intensely used eco-tourism areas on the British Columbia coast.
We strongly feel that the visual effect of these cut blocks will greatly compromise the wilderness experience expected by the Spirit of the West guests as well as guests from over 20 other whale watching and kayaking companies that operate in this area.
As past guests of Spirit of the West Adventures you know firsthand how beautiful the location of the Spirit of the West base camp is and how important the surrounding view-scape is to the experience of the trip. If you strongly believe an intact forest surrounding the Spirit of the West base camp is crucial to the experience of the Johnstone Strait Ultimate tour and has far more value for tourism than the short term gains from logging, please sign the petition below.
We the undersigned are convinced that harvesting cut blocks 2-806, 2-804 and 2-802 (part of TimberWest's harvesting plans in the Johnstone Strait area) will have a profound negative impact on Spirit of the West Adventures' Johnstone Strait Ultimate Tour and feel very strongly that this relatively small yet important area has far greater long term commercial value for tourism than from the short term gains from harvesting.
Tourism in Johnstone Strait is a thriving and profitable industry generating millions of dollars of revenue and employing hundreds of people on whale watching vessels, guided kayaking tours, sport fishing and cruise ships. This activity is largely dependent on the wilderness landscapes and intact ecosystems that this area has to offer. The proposed logging in Boat Bay will have a significant negative impact on visitor experience and revenues generated in this region if allowed to go ahead.
We therefore insist that timberwest remove cut blocks 2-806, 2-804 and 2-802 from their harvest plans on West Cracroft Island. Using the same space, the tourism industry is overall a more sustainable and long-term profitable venture which provides more jobs AND leaves the forest intact.
We thank you for your time and look forward to your positive response.
